The Malaysian Insight

HUNDREDS of Najib Razak’s supporters today turned up at a hypermarket in Sandakan and cheered the 65-year-old former prime minister as he made his rounds canvassing for the Parti Bersatu Sabah candidate.

It was his first visit to Sabah since Barisan Nasional’s defeat in the 14th general election on May 9 last year.

“Sandakan, Bossku sudah sampai (Sandakan friends, I have arrived),” he shouted through the PA system.

“Some people said I would not come, but my personal policy is that if people invite me, I will definitely come.”

Najib had arrived at the popular hypermarket today in a black Land Cruiser and immediately went in to do some grocery shopping as the crowd swarmed around him asking for selfies.

He arrived at the Sandakan airport at around 1.45pm, ahead of the Sandakan by-election, where many expect the former prime minister to make a last-minute push for Parti Bersatu Sabah candidate Linda Tsen Thau Lin.

Polling has been set for tomorrow (May 11). 

Among those in the crowd was Sabah Umno chief Bung Mokhtar Radin.

Inside he brought rice, eggs and other grocery goods.

At the hypermarket parking lot, Najib climbed on the carriage of a four-wheel-drive truck and sang the tunes of Tanak Kampung by Sabah singer Jimmy Palikat, as well as The Young Ones by Cliff Richard.

He gave a short speech and advised the crowd to disperse, adding that they can still take selfies with him.

“We are excited to see Najib. It’s been awhile. He looks tired and shaky though, but perhaps because he is fasting,” said Napsiah Kamsi. 

The 45-year-old woman had found out about Najib’s visit to the hypermarket from a WhatsApp group.

Bazaar Ramadan stall operator Dzulhisham Abdul said he was informed of Najib’s visit and would not mind taking a photo with the former prime minister.

“Of course I would want to take a selfie with Najib. What is there to it? It isn’t political or anything,” he said.

Najib said he was happy with the response he received from the Sandakan voters, saying it showed that the people there still appreciated him when he was prime minister.

Asked whether his presence in Sandakan would swing the Muslim votes, he said he could not be sure, but his presence there was to show that he still cared for the people of Sandakan and Sabah.

“They have been very close to me,” he said.

Najib is expected to speak at a ceramah in Taman Harmoni in Sandakan at 9pm later. – May 10, 2019.